Emilee Imler (IG: @emileeimlerphotography) Back Cover
Contributors & Page Editors
Anya Cree-Newman
Andrew Comparetta
Andrew Zubyk
Anjelysa Oleszewski
Brandon Badraoui
Camrin Coubertier
David Guerra
Dominic Popolo
Dylan Kowlessar
Emilee Imler
Jasmine Rosales Kaden McVerry
Marcus Deane
Nick Childrey
Penelope Anderson
Rachael Tran
Sean McConoughey
Advisors
Indira Diaz Director of Student Leadership & Orientation
SGA Executive Board
President sgapres@erau.edu
Vice President sgavpres@erau.edu
Treasurer sgatres@erau.edu
Chief Justice sgachfj@erau.edu
EIC, The Avion editor@theavion.com
Chief, ERT dbert701@erau.edu
GM, WIKD 102.5 general.manager@wikd1025.com
Chairperson, TNG chair@touch-n-go.org
From the Editor-in-Chief
Greetings, everyone!
Welcome to the second issue of The Avion for the semester. This issue features many phenomenal stories from campus life, motorsports, and aviation news — stories that impact every student on and off campus, big and small.
My name is Penelope Anderson, the Editor-in-Chief of The Avion. I am a Communication major with a specialization in Broadcast Meteorology, in hopes to become a broadcast meteorologist! I’ve had a passion for journalism for years, and serving in this position is a true honor. I have been inspired by those around me and I want to continue to inspire others.
This semester, The Avion aims to strengthen our external connections and build opportunities for our student body. Looking within our walls, one of my personal goals is to continue building a community where students can foster creativity while also staying true to our mission of being an informative news source.
Ander Turueno Garcia
Teshome S. Teshome
Bryce Farnham
Arianne Barlowe
Penelope Anderson
Abigail Weaver
Tallulah León
Sahil Singh
I have seen the impact that telling a story can have on a community — how articles, photos, and videos can shape opinions and energize people to dive into a specific topic or interest. It unites us, no matter where our stories come from. When we open an issue, we are all students united by one common goal. We share one home and are all here to support each other as an EmbryRiddle community.
We have so much to share with all of you and I look forward to an eventful semester of storytelling for all.
Best regards, Penelope Anderson
FEATURES
5 FIELD OF HOPE
See how eagles flock to offer beacons -- or flags -- of hope for those who may have, or know someone who has, lost a loved one to suicide.
12
RIDDLE OFF-ROADERS
Stray from the path with off roaders as they explore the wonders of Flordia and build community with one another.
18
CREW 9
A dragon soars as SpaceX launches its Crew-9 Dragon to the ISS with the end goal of bringing home two stranded astronauts.
On Sept. 12, the ERAU chapter of Women in Aviation hosted an event featuring guest speaker Captain Laura Einsetler, an Embry-Riddle alumna and airline captain for a major U.S. carrier. Outside of her flying career, Captain Laura is an active blogger at www.captainlaura.com and has appeared on media outlets such as CBS, where she shares her insights as a pilot. She is also a published author. Her guidebook, “From Your Captain, Welcome Aboard,” aims to help passengers feel more at ease with air travel and have a better travel experience. In her books “Lost and Found” and “Captain,” she reflects on her journey as a mother and pilot, sharing how she overcame personal and professional challenges.
At the event, Rachel Groce, treasurer of Women in Aviation at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach campus, interviewed Captain Laura before a full audience of students. The conversation focused on her experiences as an airline pilot, the importance of professionalism in aviation, and strategies for overcoming challenges such as passenger conflicts. Captain Laura emphasized that the aviation industry is ever-evolving and requires continuous learning. She also shared her personal struggles during flight training but highlighted her persistence as key to her success.
Her top advice to Embry-Riddle students was to never give up, seek out mentors, and advocate for themselves throughout their careers. With that advice, she hopes to see Embry-Riddle students soar in whatever career paths they take.
By: Taylor Beckett ⁄ Correspondent Design: A. Akie Oleszewski ⁄ Staff Designer
The Professional Travel Advisor Guidebook is for any individual interested in entering the travel industry and becoming a professional travel advisor.
The book was written by Taylor Beckett, an Embry-Riddle alum, former airline pilot, and founder of the Luxury Travel Corporation, who was inspired to write it after realizing that he could help many people find answers to questions asked by individuals interested in a career in travel.
The book covers a wide variety of topics related to travel advising and a career in travel:
Chapter 1: Accreditation & Industry Organizations
• Selecting your advisor path, affiliations & credentials.
Chapter 2: Business Formation & Licensing
• Step-by-step list to help get your business ready for bookings.
Did I put off writing this article? Maybe just a little. Procrastination — a sneaky saboteur of productivity — affects nearly every college student and lingers throughout our lives. Whether it’s juggling school assignments, a job, or housework, we often postpone even the simplest tasks that could be completed in minutes.
But procrastination isn’t just about poor time management or laziness; deeper psychological and emotional factors often drive it. Fear of failure, perfectionism, and a lack of motivation are common culprits. The result? Mundane or daunting tasks get pushed to the back burner while we tackle more urgent or enjoyable activities.
I spoke with students at Embry-Riddle to uncover their strategies for managing time and beating procrastination. Bell Bowns shared a candid take: “I tend to procrastinate on homework I dislike. For instance, I’ve been putting off a speech due tonight because I just can’t stand writing them.” So, how can we turn this around?
Bowns offered her approach to overcoming procrastination. “To get things done, I set up rewards for myself. If I finish my assignment, I get to do something I enjoy. I don’t allow myself the fun until the work is done. Plus, thinking about the impact on my relationships — like missing out on time with friends — helps me stay on track.”
Her advice for fellow procrastinators? “Just do the work when it’s assigned. Tackle it right away to avoid falling behind. And use rewards to make the process more enjoyable.”
For those struggling with procrastination, there are effective strategies to reclaim your time and boost productivity. Start by breaking tasks into smaller, manageable chunks. Set clear, achievable goals for each study session and stick to a structured schedule to avoid last-minute stress. Create a reward system that makes finishing tasks more appealing, and use productivity tools like calendars and apps to keep track of deadlines. Finally, address any underlying issues, such as perfectionism or fear of failure, through self-reflection or counseling. With these strategies, you can improve your time management and reduce the stress that procrastination often brings.
DESIGN BY | CAMRIN COUBERTIER
WORDS BY | ANYA CREE-NEWMANN
Riddle-Off Roaders is a vibrant, inclusive community of off-road enthusiasts dedicated to exploring the great outdoors and sharing their passion for adventure. I recently joined them for my first outing, and it was an experience that left me thoroughly impressed.
The group boasts a diverse membership, all united by their love for off-roading. Whether you’re an experienced driver or a newcomer without a vehicle, Riddle-Off Roaders welcomes everyone. The club offers ride-alongs for those still in the process of acquiring their own off-road vehicle, ensuring no one misses out on the excitement.
One of the standout features of this club is its commitment to fostering a supportive and engaging environment. They organize trips to various trails, assist members with mechanical issues, and host multiple social events that build camaraderie among members. Their meetings are held every other week, making it easy to stay connected and involved.
A unique benefit of being a member is their gas reimbursement policy. After paying the initial club fees, members can enjoy the perk of having their fuel costs covered for every school-organized off-road trip. This thoughtful gesture adds significant value to the membership and demonstrates the club’s dedication to ensuring every adventure is accessible and enjoyable.
My first meeting with Riddle-Off Roaders was nothing short of exceptional. We gathered early at Bucee’s, where we reviewed the general rules and prepared for our day of adventure. The weather was perfect, enhancing the overall experience as we set off toward Ocala National Forest.
Ocala National Forest was an awe-inspiring destination. The trail was a dynamic mix of mud, sand, bumps, and holes, providing a thrilling ride for everyone involved. The forest’s natural beauty, combined with the challenging terrain, made for an unforgettable adventure. A few trucks got stuck in the mud, but everyone had a blast pulling them out.
Overall, Riddle-Off Roaders is more than just a club — it’s a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for off-roading and the great outdoors. Whether you’re looking for adrenaline-pumping trails, mechanical support, or a group of friendly faces, this club has something to offer everyone.
On September 9, 2024, the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 2864, known as the Countering CCP Drones Act (CCCPDA). This bill has now moved to a Senate committee for further review. If enacted, the CCCPDA would amend the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019, which creates a covered list of communications equipment and services that are deemed to pose a national security risk. Managed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the covered list prevents certain products from being used within U.S. networks. Under the CCCPDA, Da Jiang Innovations (DJI), the world’s largest drone manufacturer, would be added to this list, blocking the sale of new DJI models in the United States. It also has the potential to impact Embry-Riddle students within the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems major.
The sponsor for the CCCPDA, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, has argued that “over the last seven years, the U.S. government has publicly confirmed time and time again that DJI drones are being used to collect critical U.S. information and pose significant risks to national security.”
Out of the eight sources provided by Stefanik, only two offer more than a summary or statement. One of the more detailed reports comes from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Intelligence Program Office. However, this report largely relies on internal interviews with ICE’s Counter-Proliferation Investigations Unit, which has not been elaborated on. Another source is a cybersecurity guidance report from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), CISA warns U.S. companies not to use Chinese-made drones, stating that Chinese law requires companies to share data with the government. These sources don’t reveal the precise method of data theft, but they do shed light on its potential theft and application by the Chinese government.
Kaden McVerry
Vic Moss, the CEO of the Drone Service Provider Alliance, stated, “There are some reports from federal agencies, but they are never released other than summaries. No proof has been shown there [referring to the Chinese government access to DJI data]”.
This is the case, as Stefanik has yet to present any conclusive evidence. Despite the accusations, DJI has responded by introducing changes aimed at alleviating concerns about data security. DJI no longer stores operators’ flight data, images, or videos on its servers and subjected its products to multiple security audits by third-party experts, including an assessment conducted by the U.S.-based company FTI Consulting. This audit found a DJI drone commonly used by public safety and infrastructure companies kept all first-party data transmissions within the U.S. and followed best practices for data encryption for secure network communications.
If DJI’s inclusion on the FCC’s covered list is not based on solid national security concerns, it could be perceived as a move to limit Chinese competition in the U.S. drone market. Congresswoman Stefanik is also attempting this with another bill, H.R. 8416, the Drones for First Responders Act (DFRA). The DFRA would impose increasing tariffs on Chinese drones over four years, completed by an import ban on January 1, 2030.
However, the DFRA needs to consider the impact this would have on the broader drone industry, including recreational users and service providers who rely on Chinese drones. These groups would struggle to find U.S.-based alternatives that match the quality and affordability of Chinesemanufactured drones. Stefanik’s staff argue that U.S. venture capitalists could step in to fund domestic drone manufacturing.
As it stands, there is no immediate threat of the ban on Chinese drones currently in operation. The CCCPDA would prevent the sale of future DJI models, and the DFRA would implement an import ban in 2030. These bills have the possibility of crippling the drone industry and hobby if U.S.based manufacturers are not able to facilitate the replacement of unmanned aircraft by 2030.
It could also affect Embry Riddle students who utilize DJI drones in numerous courses associated with the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems major. UA 201 is a Mapping Applications and Data Collection course that has students use their drones. DJI accounts for seven of the eight drones listed in the course’s pre-approved list. DJI provides the cheapest drone on the list at around seven hundred dollars, while the only non-DJI drone costs over four thousand dollars. Eventually, the current DJI models could become obsolete in the mapping industry, and with the passage of this bill, students would be subjected to higher out-of-pocket costs if U.S.-manufactured
The Boeing Situation – An Update
Article By: A. Akie Oleszewski / Staff Designer
Design By: David Guerra / Lead Designer
2024 has been a roller coaster for The Boeing Company in the news, chock full of highs and lows. But if it’s been a while since you’ve thought about the aviation manufacturing giant, let this article walk you through some key insights and prominent updates from Boeing.
•
Boeing Announces Board and Management Changes
o [Former] Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun announced on March 25 that he would be stepping down from the position at the end of the year. Independent Board Chair Larry Kellner stated at the Annual Shareholders’ meeting he does not intend to stand for re-election, and the board has elected Steve Mollenkopf to succeed him. Boeing Commercial Airplanes president, Stan Deal, announced he will be retiring from the company. Stephanie Pope has been appointed to lead BCA, effective immediately.
•
Boeing Makes its Largest Purchase of Blended Sustainable Aviation Fuel
o In support of the Boeing ecoDemonstrator program, the company purchased 9.4 million gallons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), as reported on April 16. This is more than 60% higher than what was purchased in 2023. Throughout its lifetime, SAF can reduce carbon emissions by up to 85%. The company intends to use the purchase to help grow the global supply.
• Boeing Starliner Spacecraft Completes Successful Launch and Crewed Docking
o The Boeing Starliner crew capsule successfully lifted off from Cape Canaveral on June 5, carried aboard an Atlas V launch vehicle to begin the Crew Flight Test period. NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams accompanied the vehicle and 760 pounds of cargo to the International Space Station (ISS), successfully docking the next day, June 6. The crew also completed several in-flight tests, the most notable being manually operating the vehicle in space for the first time.
• Starliner Thruster Ground Testing Complete; Data Reviews Underway
o During the Crew Flight Test of the Boeing Starliner, it was noticed that some of the Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters had experienced potential degradation and were deselected in flight. Ground testing of one of the thrusters was completed on July 18, with the team at the White Sands Test Facility then turning to data reviews to determine what impacts there could be during the undocking of Starliner from the ISS. Boeing and NASA engineers proceeded to disassemble the RCS thruster to perform inspections of the component, to be presented with readiness reviews for Starliner in the weeks that followed.
• Boeing to Open Daytona Beach Location
o Boeing announced on June 11 that they will continue expanding their partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University by opening a new facility for their military engineering programs. The facility will be located at the Cici & Hyatt Brown Center for Aerospace Technology at ERAU, and Boeing is optimistic the location will be attractive to both alumni and established aerospace engineers in Florida. Boeing is also making major investments into Volusia County schools, including a new STEM education program and over $100,000 being donated to local nonprofit organizations. The new Boeing Daytona Beach location is expected to be operational by late Fall 2024.
• Boeing Board Names Kelly Ortberg President and CEO
o Boeing announced on July 31 that Kelly Ortberg would be succeeding Dave Calhoun as president and CEO of the company, effective as of Aug. 8. Ortberg has over 35 years of aerospace leadership experience, having worked for Texas Instruments as an engineer and Rockwell Collins as a program manager before being promoted to president and CEO in 2013. He led the merger efforts of Rockwell Collins with United Technologies and RTX, retiring from RTX in 2021. Boeing’s Board of Directors is confident that Ortberg has the right skills to lead the company into the future.
• Starliner Arrives Safely Back on
Earth
o The Starliner capsule returned to Earth without her crew on Sept. 7, touching down at the landing facilities at the White Sands Space Harbor. The capsule returned uncrewed to allow NASA and Boeing to conduct as many in-flight and reentry tests on the vehicle as possible without putting the lives of Wilmore and Williams at unnecessary risk. The Starliner crew will return home on a SpaceX Dragon capsule along with the crew of SpaceX Crew-9.
THE AVION ASKS...
How have you grown since your first day of college?
Personal growth and college life go hand in hand. From the moment students step foot on campus, they embark on a journey that challenges them not just academically but emotionally and socially. Every day is a new opportunity for self-discovery and personal growth that students have to learn to live with and adapt to. They learn to embrace failures as stepping stones, celebrate small victories, and evolve to be the best version of themselves.
For this feature, I asked students from all parts of their college journey a simple question: “How have you grown since your first day of college?” Their responses reflect the diversity in how college promotes personal growth, from finding new ways to explore passions and interests to a deeper understanding of themselves and others.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY DYLAN KOWLESSAR / Copy Editor
DESIGN BY NICK CHILDREY AND DYLAN KOWLESSAR
SEAN McCONOUGHEY
Freshman, Aerospace Engineering
Embry-Riddle has offered a lot of different opportunities to me, and has allowed me to network with many different people with different backgrounds and skills. Through places and things like clubs, I’ve been able to experience a lot of new things and develop skills I haven’t had the opportunity to before.
SAM FOREHAND
Sophomore, Aeronautical Science
Since my first day of college, I’ve become a much more confident person. I’ve reached out a lot more to other people...I think I met a lot of friends doing such. So I’d say I’ve just grown a lot as a person.
MATHIEU
PIN HARRY
Sophomore, Aerospace Engineering
I’ve grown a lot in that my time management has gotten significantly better. I’ve been able to micromanage and organize a lot of my thoughts and schedules and the activities that I do throughout the day. I’m able to make it work better and plan when I do work and when I do my
NICO RIVEIRO
Sophomore, Aerospace Engineering
On my first day of college, I was really shy and afraid of how college life was going to be, so with time, I started making connections, talking with different people and professors, and that gave me a lot of opportunities to get involved on campus, academically and professionally. With the passage of time, that has helped me to have opportunities with NASA and the European Space Agency, along with working with other professors as a teacher’s assistant. I encourage everyone not to be shy and talk with people.
RACHAEL TRAN Junior, Aeronautical
Science
My outlook on life has become much more optimistic since my first day of college. I’ve discovered how much there is to learn, which drives me to keep learning. I also have the privilege of expanding my knowledge by connecting with new people in my community. Shout-out to my insanely intelligent flight instructors IP Kennedy, IP Luzzi, IP Medina, and IP Iturri. Flying also gives me a unique perspective to appreciate the beauty of seeing above people’s heads. As someone 5 feet tall, I don’t often have the chance to do this, which makes me look forward to every takeoff even more.
MAGGIE STANLEY Junior, Astronomy and Astrophysics & Space Physics
Since my first day of college two years ago, I’ve definitely stopped procrastinating as much as I did. Learning to do your assignments when you get them is a big part of being ahead. I’ve also grown a lot in my confidence and in meeting new people, because that’s really important in life.
ANNIKA MENDEZ Senior, Communication
My first day walking on campus...I think there was a lot of naïveté. I was excited; I thought I had everything figured out, not just like schoolwise but also life-wise, my life goals and my life plan. I think I went through a lot of different changes that revealed more of who I was and I don’t think I would have been able to do that had I not come to Riddle, or you know, gone to school a little bit further away from home.
Those changes highlighted that the path I thought I was going to go down was not the one for me anymore. There was a period of wrestling with that decision and having to sort through the emotional fallout of that...feeling like I had failed in some way or that I was disappointing the people I cared about. Ultimately, on the other side of that, it helped me learn more about who I was and what mattered to me, as well as recognizing that change does not equate to failure and how to push through.
Over my time, there was a lot of personal and emotional development, which led to, I guess, greater confidence and professionalism as far as my academic career goes.
Flight Certifications
SPRING to FALL 2024
COMMERCIAL PILOT (321)
Aaron Jacob Kevitch
Aaron Michael Maiorana
Abdulaziz Hatim H Alsarraj
Abdullah Saeeda Alsarhan
Abdulrahman Mohammed T Tayeb
Aldric Omar Johns Jr
Alealeed Fuad A Bafakih
Alexander Jon Jorgensen
Alexander Uvalde Lindsey
Alfred Cruz Quezada III
Alice Camila Balkin
Amani Matthew Toney
Andre Albert Lemaire
Andrew Grant Coleman
Andrew Joseph Musto
Andrew Marc David
Andrew Richard Donahue
Andrew Ross Schaffer
Andriy Borovykh
Andy Kim
Angelo John Abello Virata
Annalise Monica Heid
Anuj Joesph Berry
Ashton Neal Blalock
Austin James Maple
Ava Aline Vickery
Avery James Davis
Avery Lynn Martin
Aycha Ersoz
Ayumu Goto
Benjamin Jon Withrow
Benjamin Peter Calhoun
Benjamin Walker Richardson
Bethanny Oliver Roy
Billie Paige Laird
Brandon Michael Wilkes
Brayden Alexander Stocks
Brayden Edward Mickley
Brendan Jai Snyder
Brian F Zhou
Brooke Nicole Rohweder
Bum Chang Bae
Byounguk Park
Byungwoo Kang
Cade Austin Glass
Carlo Miguel Francavilla
Cary Jordan Drucker
Cenk Altinkum
Cesar Leonidas Adams
Chad Gregg D’Crus
Chanyoung Lee
Chris Andres Bogran Mejia
Chris Nie
Christian David McCabe
Christian Pieri
Christopher Ryan Villano
Christopher Thomas Arvid
Cinbee Chun
Clifford Charles Page
Cody Austin Southerland
Cody Tyler Schrock
Cole Cameron Lytle
Colin Bryce McCormack
Connor Michael Lackey
Courtney Maire Anderson
Cristian Jordan Cobarrubia
Dagny Reese Whitlock
Daniel Gunter Sundag
Daniel Joeseph McIntyre
Daniel Lawrence Raupp
Daniel Thomas Hersey
Dariel Garcia
Deshawn Lij-Tafari Ellis
Diego Alberto Nieves Salva
Dillon Marley Lifrieri
Dimitrios George Skoulikaris
Donghyeon Kim
Dongjae Yoon
Drew Elizabeth Szlasa
Duhyen Kil
David Massey
Eagles Flight Team
Ahead of the impacts of Hurricane Helene on Sept. 26, 33 aircraft from the ERAU fleet were secured in the Embry-Riddle parking garage.
